Water guard

Abstract

A water guard system is used in a gravel loadout structure wherein wet bulk material is stored in a bin (12) and released through a gate (14). Runoff water from the bulk material tends to leak through the gate (14) and drip on an underlying scale (22) as well as on trucks which enter the structure (10) for loading. A trough (28) is supported on rails (80, 104) and is driven by an air cylinder (30). The gate (14) is open and closed by operation of an air cylinder (108). In an extended position the trough (28) is positioned beneath the gate (14) to collect runoff water and pass this water into a sump (38) which delivers it through a drain line (40). The trough (28) is retracted by operation of the air cylinder (30) to permit the gate (14) to be opened and load a truck positioned beneath the gate. When the gate (14) is closed the trough (28) is returned to the extended position by operation of the cylinder (30). A control circuit (114) operates a plurality of solenoid valves which serve to position the trough (28) and open and close the gate (14).

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of operation for a water guard wherein a vehicle is loaded with bulk material passed through a gate from a storage bin and wherein there tends to be water leakage through said gate, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a trough supported by left and right downward extending skids which slide on parallel rails to beneath said gate, when said gate is closed, to receive water leaking through said gate wherein said parallel rails are positioned below and offset on opposite sides from said gate; and   retracting said trough from beneath said gate to permit said gate to open and pass said bulk material to said vehicle between said parallel rails.   
     
     
       2. A method as recited in claim 1 including a step of receiving water from said trough into a sump and directing the water through a drain line from said sump. 
     
     
       3. A method of operation for a water guard wherein a vehicle is loaded with bulk material through a clam shell gate from a storage bin and wherein there tends to be water leakage through the gate, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a trough supported by left and right downward extending skids which slide on parallel rails to beneath said clam shell gate to receive water leaking through said gate, wherein said parallel rails are positioned below and offset on opposite sides from said gate;   positioning a vehicle beneath said clam shell gate, said trough preventing water from dripping from said clam shell gate onto said vehicle;   retracting said trough from beneath said clam shell gate after the step of positioning said vehicle;   opening said clam shell gate to load said bulk material downward between said parallel rails into said vehicle after said step of retracting said trough;   closing said clam shell gate to stop the transfer of said bulk material to said vehicle; and   returning said trough to beneath said clam shell gate, after the step of closing said clam shell gate, to receive water leaking through said clam shell gate thereby preventing water from dripping on said vehicle.   
     
     
       4. A method as recited in claim 3 including a step of receiving an operator command to sequentially initiate the steps of retracting said trough and opening said clam shell gate. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the step of positioning said vehicle includes positioning said vehicle on a scale for weighing the contents of said vehicle, said method including the step of generating a command in response to said scale measuring that said vehicle has received a predetermined weight of said bulk material, said command sequentially initiating the steps of closing said clam shell gate and returning said trough to beneath said clam shell gate. 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the steps of positioning a trough, retracting said trough and returning said trough comprise applying compressed air to an air cylinder having a piston and rod with the rod connected to said trough. 
     
     
       7. A water guard for use in conjunction with a storage bin having a gate for the release of bulk material from the bin, the water guard comprising: a trough having left and right downward extending skids offset from the center line of said trough, said skid supporting said trough;   first and second rails for supporting said trough in a first position beneath said gate and in a second position offset from beneath said gate, said rails extending below and offset on opposite sides from said gate, said rails respectively supporting said left and right skids; and   means for moving said trough between said first and said second positions.   
     
     
       8. A water guard as recited in claim 7 wherein said trough is a semi-cylinder open at one end and closed at the opposite end. 
     
     
       9. A water guard as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for moving comprises a double acting air cylinder having a piston and rod wherein the rod is connected to said trough. 
     
     
       10. A water guard as recited in claim 7 wherein said trough has the longitudinal axis thereof tilted from the horizontal. 
     
     
       11. A water guard as recited in claim 10 including a sump for collecting runoff water from the lower end of said trough, said sump located opposite said gate from said means for moving said trough, and a drain line for carrying said runoff water from said sump. 
     
     
       12. A water guard for use in conjunction with a bin having a clam shell gate for the release of bulk material from the bin, the water guard comprising: a half cylinder trough having a pair of downward extending skids affixed thereto, said skids equally offset from the center line of said trough, said trough positionable to receive water draining from said bulk material through said clam shell gate;   a pair of parallel rails adapted to receive said skids for supporting said trough and permitting movement of said trough along said rails, said rails positioned below and oppositely offset from said gate; and   an air operated cylinder having a piston and rod wherein said trough is connected to said rod, said cylinder connected to receive pressurized air for positioning said trough in a first position beneath said gate and in a second position offset from beneath said gate.   
     
     
       13. A water guard as recited in claim 12 wherein said trough is tilted and including a sump for receiving runoff water from the lower end of said trough, said sump located opposite said gate from said air operated cylinder and further including a drain for directing water from said sump. 
     
     
       14. A water guard system for use in loading a vehicle with bulk material which is received through an air operated gate from a storage bin wherein water tends to leak through said gate, the water guard system comprising: a trough having a first end thereof blocked and said trough tilted to have the second end thereof lower than said first end;   left and right skids extending downward from said trough and offset from the center line of said trough, said skid supporting said trough;   first and second rails for supporting said skids below said bin, said first and second rails extending below and offset from said gate;   means for moving said trough between a first position aligned below said gate for collecting water running therethrough and a second position below and offset from said gate to permit loading of said bulk material through said gate, between said rails and into said vehicle; and   means responsive to a first command for activating said means for moving to transfer said trough from said first to said second position followed by opening said gate and responsive to a second command for closing said gate followed by transferring said trough from said second position to said first position.   
     
     
       15. A water guard system as recited in claim 14 wherein said trough is a semi-cylinder. 
     
     
       16. A water guard system as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for moving comprises a double acting air cylinder having a piston and a rod wherein the rod is connected to said trough. 
     
     
       17. A water guard system as recited in claim 14 including a sump for receiving runoff water from said trough, said sump located opposite said gate from said means for moving said trough, and a drain line for carrying said runoff water from said sump. 
     
     
       18. A water guard system as recited in claim 14 including a scale for supporting said vehicle to measure the load of said bulk material and generate said second command upon reaching a predetermined load.